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The NFL kicks off Week 15 on Thursday Night Football with the New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are big 14.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportbook, and the game has been given a total points of 45, which ranks around the middle of the pack in Week 15.
For the Ravens, QB Lamar Jackson (quad) and TE Mark Andrews (knee) are both listed as questionable to play, although Jackson said he plans to play. Regardless, each of their statuses will need to be monitored leading up to kickoff. For the Jets, Le’Veon Bell (illness) is expected to play after missing last week’s game.
If he is active, Lamar Jackson is a must-start. Here are some other players that fantasy owners can consider starting or sitting in their seasonal leagues.
Sit QB Sam Darnold
Darnold has rebounded from a disastrous five-turnover Week 7 performance against the Patriots to post a 98.0 passer rating over his last five games, better than the 2019 league average passer rating of 91.2. However, Darnold has taken advantage of a soft schedule over that stretch, facing weak defenses such as the Giants, Raiders, Dolphins, Bengals and Redskins. Darnold is set for a tough matchup as the road team on the short week against the Ravens, who have been excellent against QBs. Baltimore has limited QBs to the second fewest DraftKings fantasy points per game and has a top five defense by points allowed. Fantasy scoring will likely be difficult for Darnold in this matchup.
Start RB Le’Veon Bell
Bell is expected to return to action after missing last week due to an illness. While Darnold is in an unappealing spot against Baltimore’s pass defense, Bell lands in a better matchup. By rushing efficiency, Baltimore has had a worse than average run defense, allowing 4.5 yards per carry, above the league average of 4.3. Baltimore has also allowed RBs to score 10 rushing TDs, tied for fourth highest.
Start Jamison Crowder, Robby Anderson in PPR, sit in standard
The Jets’ passing game generally has a poor matchup for reasons mentioned above with Darnold, but their receivers could have some start appeal in PPR leagues. Despite allowing just eight receiving TDs to WR, tied for third fewest, the Ravens are tied for the fifth most receptions allowed to WR. Crowder has seen plus target volume, ranking 20th in total targets.
Start TE Mark Andrews
Andrews is listed as questionable on the injury report, so fantasy owners will need to make sure he’s active before deploying in lineups. If active, Andrews is a solid start candidate against the Jets, who have had a mediocre defense. While New York has been one of the league’s best at limiting fantasy points to tight ends, Baltimore’s ability to move the ball should give Andrews red zone looks. Andrews is tied for the eighth most red zone targets this season among all receivers and his seven receiving TDs is tied for most at TE.
Start WR Marquise Brown
Brown is coming off two consecutive poor fantasy performances, but they came against top defenses in the 49ers and Bills. Brown is set for a much softer matchup this week against the Jets, who have allowed more DraftKings fantasy points per game to WR than average. The Jets are tied for the fifth most receiving TD allowed to WR, which will make Brown a TD threat given his red zone looks. Brown is tied with teammate Mark Andrews for the eighth most red zone targets this season and has six receiving TDs.